Putting an Iris diaphragm back together

[Dralowid]

OK folks,

Is there a knack to re-assembling an iris?

Do you start by putting the leaves under each other?

Is there a way of holding the leaves in place while you put the last ones in?

Any advice greatfully received. Fortunately the lens in question is without value (Elgeet C Mount 3") but if I can train myself to manage this task I might try working on something with more value.

OK, so I shouldn't have pulled it apart but ...

'it just fell apart in my hands guvnor'.

Michael

 

[bsdunek]

After cleaning and dusting with graphite, put the aperature frame on a flat surface. Using tweezers, carefully place the leaves, one at a time, in place. Each on top of the previous - the last one is on top of all. If they tend to fall into the aperature, put a disk of cardboard or cork there to support the inside edge. Be sure both pivot holes in each leaf are engaged on the proper pins. Then carefully place the retainer ring on top and secure.
It takes a lot of paitence. Back in the early 70's, when I learned camera repair, this and shutter blades were frustrating. After doing it a while, it got a lot easier.

 

[FallisPhoto]

After cleaning and dusting with graphite, put the aperature frame on a flat surface. Using tweezers, carefully place the leaves, one at a time, in place. Each on top of the previous - the last one is on top of all. If they tend to fall into the aperature, put a disk of cardboard or cork there to support the inside edge. Be sure both pivot holes in each leaf are engaged on the proper pins. Then carefully place the retainer ring on top and secure.
It takes a lot of paitence. Back in the early 70's, when I learned camera repair, this and shutter blades were frustrating. After doing it a while, it got a lot easier.

Yeah, until you learn the trick with the piece of cardboard, it is pretty much guaranteed to drive you nuts. The one I dread more than anything these days though is a Super Ikonta or Moskva with a diagonally tracking rangefinder.

 

[ZeissFan]

And if you happen to be working on a Summitar, you won't know until you've put them all back in that there are two sets of aperture blades, and each set is slightly different from the other.

That means you have to then remove them -- after spending 20 minutes to get them seated -- and start over!

 

[FallisPhoto]

After cleaning and dusting with graphite, put the aperature frame on a flat surface. Using tweezers, carefully place the leaves, one at a time, in place. Each on top of the previous - the last one is on top of all. If they tend to fall into the aperature, put a disk of cardboard or cork there to support the inside edge. Be sure both pivot holes in each leaf are engaged on the proper pins. Then carefully place the retainer ring on top and secure.
It takes a lot of paitence. Back in the early 70's, when I learned camera repair, this and shutter blades were frustrating. After doing it a while, it got a lot easier.

Wait a minute! I almost missed this: you're using powdered graphite? Have you tried graphite sticks yet? They work just as well, are easier to control, are less messy and you don't wind up with graphite powder going everywhere. http://www.heatoncooper.co.uk/eshop1/product.php?xProd=504 They are available in art supply shops.

 

[ChrisN]

OK folks,

Is there a knack to re-assembling an iris?

Do you start by putting the leaves under each other?

Is there a way of holding the leaves in place while you put the last ones in?

Any advice greatfully received. Fortunately the lens in question is without value (Elgeet C Mount 3") but if I can train myself to manage this task I might try working on something with more value.

OK, so I shouldn't have pulled it apart but ...

'it just fell apart in my hands guvnor'.

Michael

You weren't using canned air, were you? 🙂